Whether it’s a flat tire or something more serious, a good breakdown service will get it done let them fix you on the side of the road – or help you get to your destination and drive your vehicle to the garage.
This is where breakdown insurance can provide peace of mind if something goes wrong. Some basic policies will get you to the nearest garage to start repairs, while more comprehensive forms of cover will even pay for an overnight stay if you need it.
So below we explain breakdown cover in more detail and list some of the best policies on the market.
What is breakdown cover?
Breakdown cover is a form of insurance for your vehicle that covers the cost of assistance in the event of a vehicle breakdown. This could include a flat tire if you’re on the road or, if you’re accident-proof at home, a dead battery.
Usually, your insurer will send a mechanic to carry out the repairs on site. If they cannot, your vehicle will be towed to the nearest garage. Most policies won’t cover costs after this point, and if they do, there’s usually a limit to what they’re willing to pay. If you exceed this threshold, you will have to finance the outstanding debt.
Breakdown cover is especially handy if you’re going on long trips across the country or Europe. If you break down without this cover, you’ll need to call a local garage, which can charge hefty fees to come pick up your car.
In the UK, a garage can charge you £80 to take a quieter road. If you break down on the motorway, the police can charge a removal fee of £192.
What are the different types of failure protection?
You can buy breakdown cover for a specific vehicle or for yourself, in which case you’re covered regardless of the car you drive.
Once you’ve decided which of the two options is right for you, you’ll need to choose between several breakdown coverage options:
1. Roadside assistance
All policies provide roadside assistance in the event of a breakdown – but in most cases you’ll need to be more than a mile away from your home to qualify for a call.
They will send a mechanic to try to fix your vehicle on the road. If they can’t, they’ll usually tow it to a nearby garage, but the most basic rules can only get your vehicle a limited distance.
2. Vehicle recovery
Most policies will offer nationwide recovery. This means that if they can’t fix your vehicle at the roadside, they will take it anywhere in the UK you want it moved, including your home or your onward destination.
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3. Malfunction at home
In the event that your car breaks down at home, you will need a policy that includes coverage at home. This will ensure that your provider will get you up and running in cases where your battery is dead or you have a flat tire.
Most breakdown companies include home protection as an extra. If you don’t have that, they usually won’t accept your call request unless you’re more than a mile from your house.
4. Further journey
If your car can’t be repaired but you still need to get to your intended destination, some policies will allow you to add cover for the onward journey.
This can provide you with a rental car as well as an overnight stay in a hotel.
5. Auto parts
Most breakdown policies will not cover the cost of parts that may be needed to repair your car. It will cost extra.
However, some policies allow you to pay an extra premium to ensure there are no extra costs if you need to replace a part of your car. Meanwhile, other suppliers allow you to add a cover for tires or batteries.
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What is the difference between vehicle coverage and personal coverage?
Before taking out breakdown cover, you’ll probably be able to choose between personal cover and vehicle cover.
Vehicle-based cover is usually a cheaper option and providers such as the AA and RAC charge less for these policies. This type of insurance covers the vehicle, regardless of who is driving it at the time.
Personal cover is instead for the driver and is paid regardless of what type of car they drive. It’s a great option if you regularly drive more than one vehicle, saving you from having to take out more than one vehicle-based policy.
What is the average cost of breakdown cover?
Breakdown insurance varies in price as some policies offer more comprehensive policies while others offer cheaper but often less detailed coverage.
As mentioned above, basic policies can cost as little as £2 a month, while comprehensive cover starts from £6 a month.
What is the cheapest car breakdown cover available?
The cheapest breakdown cover depends on a number of factors such as:
- The type of your vehicle – this will affect your premium. A motorcycle, for example, is usually cheaper to insure against a breakdown than a car.
- Your vehicle model and age – the older your vehicle, the more likely it is to break down and may require outdated parts, meaning it tends to attract more expensive premiums. Meanwhile, a new car may be less risky to insure, but an expensive car will have expensive replacement parts.
While price can be a significant factor when choosing breakdown cover, you should also consider the value you’re getting from your policy. Some of the cheapest breakdown insurance policies only offer roadside assistance. For many drivers, it may be better value to pay a bit more each month and upgrade to a more comprehensive package.
Are there different types of breakdown providers?
There are two types of failure providers. There are those who have their own fleet of patrol vehicles and staff, and those who operate through a network of independent garages across the country.
The two largest breakdown companies, and AA, have their own fleets. The rest of the market uses a network of service providers.
Each model has advantages and disadvantages. AA and more are able to ensure consistency in the services they offer. In addition, in busy parts of the country, they are more likely to have patrol vehicles ready for call.
However, service providers using their own fleet cannot cover every inch of the country. Companies that use a network of independent companies may be better positioned to help when you are in a more remote location.
What you should watch out for with a hatch cover?
There are some things to watch out for when it comes to protection against failure.
- Number of included calls – some of the cheaper policies on the market have a limit on the number of calls per year. You might have an unlucky year and regret buying a policy that limits the number of calls for help.
- Restrictions for persons covered for onward travel – some rules limit the number of people they will provide onward travel for if your car needs to be towed. Often it is six or seven people, but it can be less than four. One to keep an eye out for if you have a haul of passengers or a large family.
- Always haggle over renovations – breakdown companies tend to be some of the worst at increasing your premiums when it comes to rebuilding. But they are usually willing to lower the price if you call them.
